Tag: Ombudsman

In a resolution adopted last week, the European Parliament defined what 'vulnerable consumers' are - the elderly, the needy as well as those with mental and physical disabilities. But every consumer can be considered vulnerable, argue two Danish MEPs interviewed by EurActiv.

The EU executive has been criticised by the European Ombudsman for its failure to pay its contractors on time. The embarrassing report comes as MEPs prepare to vote on the Commission's revamped Late Payments Directive.

The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has opened an investigation into how the European Commission conducted a study into the use of chimpanzees for research purposes.

Being refused access to documents was "by far" the most common allegation made by citizens to the EU Ombudsman last year, revealed a report presented yesterday (27 April).

The European Ombudsman yesterday (17 February) expressed his conviction that the incoming Swedish EU Presidency would make progress on making the EU more transparent and accountable to its citizens. Meanwhile, MEPs insisted that "no legislative documents should be kept secret" under a reformed access to documents policy.

The EU Ombudsman has stressed that the European Parliament is continuing to fail to comply with transparency rules regarding the allowances its members receive. But the institution's Vice President Diana Wallis yesterday (15 July) insisted that reforms are already underway to address the bulk of his concerns.

The European Ombudsman says a refusal by the EU executive to conduct its external assistance work in all 23 official EU languages constitutes maladministration. But the Commission argues that doing so would simply not be feasible.

European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros insisted that the EU institutions become more transparent after demands to strenghten his access to confidential documents were delayed by the two main political groups in the European Parliament.

The European Ombudsman criticises the Commission of maladministration as to handling of an infringement complaint by an EU citizen. Politically sensitive or not, complaints need to be dealt in due time, he says. 

The European Ombudsman has asked for more information on what the Commission is doing to integrate people with disabilities in fields such as employment, information policy and accessibility of buildings.

European Ombudsman, Mr Diamandouros, is urging his ombudsman colleagues at the national level to help make individual rights under EU law, including the rights laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, a reality in their public administrations.

The European Ombudsman, Nikiforos Diamandouros, has called on the President of the European Convention, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, to give access to the agendas and minutes of the Praesidium.

The European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, has outlined his proposed changes to the draft EU constitution aimed at ensuring that "European citizens truly have confidence in the Union".

The European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, published a special report, on 30 November, on the failure of the EU Council to grant access to certain documents on justice and home affairs. The report was published after a complaint was made by Statewatch, a UK organisation fighting for transparency.

Court of Justice upholds sacking of Commission official over publication of best-selling book criticising single currency

Opinion polls show highly sceptical Swiss population unlikely to accept EU membership in referendum on 4 March